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If you’re sending emails through Flowforth and notice they’re landing in Gmail’s Promotions tab instead of the Primary inbox, you’re not alone. The short answer: Gmail decides where to place every email, and no email platform—including Flowforth—can override that decision. That said, there are some things your people can do to help.

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How Gmail Sorts Emails

Gmail uses its own internal system to organize incoming messages into tabs like Primary, Social, Promotions, and Updates. This sorting is based on a mix of factors, including:
  • The type of content in the email (promotional language, images, links)
  • The sender’s history and domain reputation
  • How the recipient has interacted with similar emails in the past
Emails sent to a group of people—like a newsletter or church announcement—are more likely to be placed in the Promotions tab simply because Gmail recognizes them as bulk or marketing-style messages.
Not all Gmail users have tabs enabled. Many people use a single inbox, which means this doesn’t affect every subscriber.

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Is the Promotions Tab a Bad Thing?

Not necessarily. The Promotions tab isn’t the spam folder—it’s a dedicated space where people go to browse content they’ve signed up for. Research has shown that Gmail’s tab system actually improved email deliverability and reduced spam complaints across the board. People who check their Promotions tab tend to engage with the content there intentionally. That said, if your recipients want your emails front and center, there are steps they can take.

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What Your Recipients Can Do

Since Gmail’s sorting is tied to each individual’s inbox, only your recipients can tell Gmail where to deliver your messages. Here are two things you can encourage them to do:

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1. Add Your Email Address to Their Contacts

When someone adds your sending address (e.g., hello@yourchurch.com) to their Google Contacts, Gmail is far more likely to deliver your emails to the Primary tab. This is the simplest and most effective step. You might consider mentioning this in your welcome email or on your email signup page.

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2. Move Your Email to the Primary Tab

If a recipient drags or moves one of your emails from the Promotions tab to the Primary tab, Gmail will ask if it should always do this for messages from you. Once they confirm, future emails should land in Primary.

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What You Can Do as a Sender

While you can’t force Gmail to place your emails in a specific tab, good sending habits go a long way:
  • Write naturally. Avoid overly promotional language, all-caps subject lines, and excessive calls to action.
  • Keep a healthy balance of text and images. Emails that are mostly images can trigger promotional sorting.
  • Send relevant content. The more your recipients open and engage with your emails, the more Gmail trusts you as a sender.
  • Use a recognizable sender name and address. People—and Gmail—respond better to a real name from a real domain.
For more tips on improving deliverability, check out Why Are My Emails Going to Spam?.

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The Bottom Line

Landing in the Promotions tab is a normal part of sending email to Gmail users. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your emails or your setup. Focus on sending great content to engaged people, and encourage your audience to take the simple steps above if they want your messages in their Primary inbox.
Have questions about your email deliverability? Reach out to us at support@flowforth.co.